Ten percent of veterans of the Afghanistan war are diagnosed with PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder according to Statistics Canada.
In rural Nova Scotia this week, an Afghanistan veteran and his three family members were found dead in their home after an apparent murder-suicide.
Vince Savoia, an expert who has worked with many suffering from PTSD, says during times of war an individual may relieve traumatic events over and over again.
“There are things like the individual experiencing flashbacks – being brought back to the scene of the event. Also, having nightmares in the middle of the night or being unable to sleep,” he adds.
A former first responder himself, Savoia says he has never been in a war zone himself but he can only imagine the kind of impact that would have on an individual subjected to life and death on a daily basis.
